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Soccer Picks: Real Madrid vs. Juventus Betting Preview

On the books is a big clash soccer fans will want to spot, the clash between Real Madrid and Juventus. Join us as we breakdown the odds and deliver our select picks for your consideration.

Real
Madrid top Group B

Real Madrid ran away convincing winners in
the second round of group matches with a 4-0 victory over København; the win
marks their second straight victory in Europe’s top-flight competition and sees
the club climb to the top of Group B with six points, a cool four points ahead
of Juventus in second-place and København (in third but level on points with
Juventus).

Real Madrid have looked very good so far in
the competition and sportsbooks have
them installed as a result as the runaway favourites to win Group B at a
staggering -1200 price tag. Real Madrid is also tipped third heir in line to
the European thrown behind Bayern Munich and Barcelona at +500 odds at Bet365.

But they’ll face their first test when they
welcome Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, the first side that – on
paper – can really take their measure and give sports punters a sense of their
value as a whole to win it all.

Juventus have struggled thus far with two
straight draws against København and Galatasaray but the Italian giants can’t
be underestimated. They are known to raise their game when it matters most. To
bring up ancient history: Chelsea fans are intimately aware of that ability; it
was only last year Chelsea made the trek to Turin only to return with their
tails between their legs.

The clash between Real Madrid and Juventus
is one that is more fitting for the knockout rounds; the history of these two
storied clubs attests to that notion. That it’s in the group stage however
makes it no less important in the broad spectrum of the competition: a win for
Real Madrid would surely see them take a stranglehold on the group while a win
for Juventus would see them steer their floundering European campaign back on
track and add value to their odds to win Group B – Juventus are dubbed the
second favourites to clinch top spot at +600 odds at William Hill.

Real
Madrid vs. Juventus Predictions and Picks:

For good reason bookmakers tip Real Madrid
as the solid favourites at -188 at Bet365 to win outright. They have home
advantage for this game; Santiago Bernabeu is a tough nut to crack for any side
even one as good as Juventus. As well, the Galaticos have put in a healthy
deposit in their two laps around Europe with a 6-1 disembowelling of
Galatasaray and a 4-0 routing of København. If they are even half as good as
they were in those two accounts, a Real Madrid win is an almost certainty.
Hence, backing Real Madrid does seem to be the correct pick for this match and
given everything -188 is a good price tag. Heck, if you can find shorter odds,
even better.

Juventus are searching for their first win
in the competition. Their back are against the proverbial wall as a loss here
could be costly indeed if it turns the battle for second place into a
three-horse race. It doesn’t help that odds makers aren’t putting much stock in
an away win at +500 betting odds. But can you blame them? Juventus failed to beat København,
a game they were tipped as a sure bet to win. And then they faltered against
Galatasaray, a side that was in complete disarray and coach~less until two days
before their clash in Turin. If Juventus is to pull off the big upset here, it
will have to be a completely different side that arrives in Real Madrid than
we’ve seen in the past two rounds. It’s possible but don’t go betting the farm
on it.

[gameodds]8/244703/?r-1=19-43-349-192/us[/gameodds]

Across the board Real Madrid is expected to
win but interestingly bookies are expecting a much closer affair than you might
be expecting. A 2-1 victory is priced the shortest at +700 while a 2-0 or 1-0 win
are tipped at +750 and +800 respectively. By contrast, you won’t find a
Juventus score under four digits – betting opens on a 2-1 win which is priced
shortest at +1600. The totals fall in line with these markets with the Over 2.5
listed favourably at -188.

The double result market leans towards a
comprehensive Real Madrid performance in both halves at +125 but if Juventus
can rise to the occasion and give Real Madrid a run for their money, a closer
result such as a draw-Real Madrid at +333 might be the better way to go.

Of
course, if you’re hanging your hat on the upset, a Juventus win at +500, then
adding a Juventus win in both halves at +850 or a draw-Juventus win at +1200
are two additional options to add to your soccer betting ticket.